On September 19, 2023, Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary announced in Parliament that Pfizer’s updated Comirnaty Covid-19 vaccine is expected to arrive in Singapore by the end of October. This monovalent vaccine specifically targets the current Omicron subvariants, including the XBB 1.5 variant, and has been approved for individuals aged six months and older.

Puthucheary emphasized that Covid-19 continues to pose significant risks, and vaccinations are crucial for managing the virus. He mentioned that Singapore’s ability to operate under the Dorscon Green framework—indicating a low disease response level—is not due to Covid-19 becoming mild, but rather the country’s enhanced resilience through vaccinations and safe recovery from infections.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) strongly recommends a booster dose of the updated vaccine for individuals aged 60 and above, residents in aged-care facilities, and those with medical vulnerabilities, one year after their last booster. Healthy individuals aged 12 to 59 will also have access to the booster this year at no charge under the National Vaccination Programme.

Puthucheary confirmed that there are no plans to impose charges for Covid-19 vaccines, as they remain vital in controlling the spread of the virus. In response to queries regarding Singapore’s long-term vaccination strategy, he noted that there is currently insufficient data to establish such a plan, but the MOH will continue to monitor the situation and adjust recommendations based on expert advice and emerging evidence.